What to know about the acne vaccine

Stop the press: an acne vaccine is on its way, and we can’t wait to finally rid our skin of blemishes for good.

Despite preaching the importance of having a tailored skincare
routine and taking care of our skin to avoid blemishes, sometimes
we just want a quick fix to get rid of our skin problems once and
for all, you know? And lo and behold, we hear that an acne vaccine
is on its way!

While topical and oral medication like Accutane and Differin
have done much to rid us of acne, researchers at UC
San Diego points out, “There are no appropriate therapeutic
modalities that are long-lasting and systemically effective” at
reducing acne-causing bacteria. Also, such treatments are usually
reactive and work only on active acne lesions instead
of nipping the problem in the bud. When treatment is discontinued,
acne has the potential to bounce back.

However, that’s all about to change as the researchers at UC San
Diego have revealed their work on developing an acne vaccine. The
vaccine works to counteract a toxic protein secreted by P.
acnes, the bacteria that causes inflammation and acne. The
vaccine doesn’t kill the bacteria itself, however, as P.
acnes is actually beneficial in some ways.

Besides preventing pimples, the upcoming acne vaccine will also
help with problems like joint, nervous systems, and cranial
neurosurgery infections. It will also help alleviate
endophthalmitis, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis. For now, the acne
vaccine has worked in animal trials and on skin biopsies from acne
patients, but clinical trials has yet to begin. The process will
take up to two years. For now, let’s focus on proper skincare and
taking care of ourselves to the best of our abilities.

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